Articles and Bible Questions

Elana from North Carolina asked: “Will Christians who are not baptized be included in the rapture? Acts 2:38 seems to indicate that baptism is required for salvation.”

Elana,

I understand why you might have this question. There are some passages in the Bible that seem to closely connect baptism with salvation. Acts 2:38 is one of those. Peter was preaching and he said:

Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. 

Peter was not saying that repentance plus baptism is how a person is saved. But baptism is an important act of obedience for the Christian.

It's important that we always allow Scripture to interpret itself. The Bible teaches that salvation is by faith alone. While there are many example, Acts 16:16 is one. In response to a question regarding how we can be saved, Paul said:

Believe in the Lord, Jesus, and you shall be saved. 

Baptism is an important act of obedience. Every Christian who wants to walk obediently should be baptized. But baptism is not a requirement for salvation. The gospel does not say that we must obey God in order to be saved. Obedience is evidence of salvation but not the cause or requirement of salvation.

So yes, if the Lord returns before a Christian is able to be baptized, that person will not miss out on the rapture. 

Thanks for your question,

Stephen